Vol76 no5 2015

September 2015 VOL. 76, NO. 5

September 2015 VOL. 76, NO. 5

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 3

The Conser-vation Federa-tion is putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of our organiza-tion by hosting events all across Missouri. We

are committed to uniting conserva-tionists statewide, and we are seeing success in doing so through our ag-gressive event schedule, including our regional Explore the Outdoors series.

Many of you are familiar with the annual CFM Convention. For those of you who are not, Conven-tion is our premiere event each year. Another long-standing CFM event is the annual Pull for Conservation clay shoot. This successful fundraiser just hosted a record attendance of 158 shooters on August 8.

Events bring people together and build a sense of belonging. They also drive membership and provide financial gains. If you’ve been paying attention to CFM over the last 18 months, it should be no surprise to you that I am a fan of events. I feel they are imperative to the growth of CFM. Since March of 2014 we have added a number of events, all of which have been successful in ac-

complishing their purpose. New events include the Federation

Fundraiser, CFM Media Event, Con-servation Day at the Capitol, Trout Fest, Affiliate Summit and Explore the Outdoors: Kansas City. Now we are excited to announce our second location in the Explore the Outdoors series, St. Louis. This regional event is taking place October 24 at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center and The Lodge at Des Peres. You’ll find more details on Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis in the article on page 30.

Kansas City and St. Louis are the population hubs and commerce cen-ters of Missouri. Both cities and their citizens are extremely important to the overall success of CFM. No more important though, than folks from Kirksville, Columbia, Rolla, Spring-field, St. Joseph and every other city and little town across our state. If

CFM is going to truly serve as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors,” then we need to represent conservationists from every corner of our state. And we can’t wait on them to come to us, so we are taking CFM to them.

The Explore the Outdoors series is going to expand significantly in the next few years. In 2016, we plan to add events in Springfield, Columbia and Kirksville. We’ll strategically add

more locations each year through 2019, when we anticipate having 15 Explore the Outdoors events. I know it sounds aggressive, but it’s very doable. And based on the success we experienced in Kansas City, we know these events have the potential to significantly increase CFM member-ship, while raising financial resources we’ll use to support our mission: To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

It is going to take dedicated staff and a significant amount of volun-teer support to build the statewide Explore the Outdoors series. We’ll need the support of our affiliate organizations and Business Alliance partners. There’ll be long nights and busy weekends. But years from now, when we look back, I believe we’ll realize how imperative it was to once again establish a CFM presence in every region of Missouri.

CFM is growing. Our member-ship numbers are up. Our event schedule is packed. Our effectiveness in Jefferson City is recognized. And our importance is as undeniable as ever. If you’re not already a member of CFM, I hope you will consider joining the Federation. If you’re in the St. Louis the area, we hope to see you at the upcoming Explore the Outdoors event. Attending will take care of your membership, since every Explore the Outdoors registration includes a one-year membership in CFM. To learn more, visit www.confedmo.org/st-louis.

See you down the trail…

Brandon ButlerExecutive Director, CFM

Credit: Capt. Timothy Reinhart, USAF.

Explore the Outdoors Across MissouriExEcutivE DirEctor

4 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Contents

XX

Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. ISSN 1082-8591

Mission Statement: To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559

Phone • 573-634-2322 Email • [email protected]

Online • www.confedmo.org

MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is published bi monthly in January, March, May, July, Sept ember and November for subscribers and members of the Con ser vation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jef ferson City, MO 65101-1559. Of each member’s dues ($35 minimum) $10.00 shall be for a year’s subscription to Missouri Wildlife. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO. and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

MISSOURI WILDLIFE, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559

Al VogtRon ColemanGary Van De VeldeNicole WoodRandy Washburn

Brandon Butler

Rehan Nana

Emma Kessinger

Micaela Haymaker

Laurie Coleman

Joe Pendergrass

President1st Vice President2nd Vice PresidentSecretaryTreasurer

Executive Director/ Editor

Deputy Director

CommunicationsSpecialist

Office Manager

Membership Director/ Managing Editor

Creative Director

Officers

staff

Wildlife MISSOURI

September 2015Vol. 76, No. 5

Front Cover: Monarch butterfly.

Kyle Spradley Photography www.kspradleyphoto.com

10 Goldenrod!

12 Western Road Trip Full of Outdoor Adventure

14 Saving Monarchs: Major Organizations Bring Power and Enthusiasm to New Statewide Collaboration

22 CFM’s 9th Annual Pull For Conservation

25 Gear Guide

27 Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri - A Model of Collaboration

28 CLC Opportunity

30 CFM Hosting Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis on October 24

31 Lake of the Ozark Named Best Recreational Lake in the Country

34 The Good Old Days of Waterfowl Hunting in Missouri - NOW!

42 Life After CLC - Where Are You Now? Kelsey Rumley

news, updates and columns

3 From The Stone House

6 President’s Message

agency news –

missouri department of conservation -

20 Conservation Commissioner Don Bedell Reappointed by Governor Nixon

department of natural Resources –

32 Appreciating the Values of the Missouri River

33 Spotlight on Missouri State Parks — Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site

member Information:

5 Business Alliance Members 8 Business Alliance Spotlight 11 New Members 14 Calendar 27 CFM Affiliates 40 Affiliate Spotlight 41 Member’s Memories


Thank You! Business alliance MeMBersOur sincere thanks to all of our Business Alliance members.

Your support of CFM is making a difference for Missouri outdoors!

To learn more about how your business can benefit from supporting conservation call Rehan Nana at the CFM office, 573-634-2322.

GoldAlps OutdoorZMidwayUSA

Riley ChevroletRoeslein Alternative Energy, LLC

Show Me Farms

silverCZ-USA - Doolittle Trailer - G3 Boats

G & W Meat and Bavarian Style Sausage CompanyLearfield Communication, Inc.

Lilley’s Landing Resort & MarinaLowe Boats - Poke N’ Stoke - Pure Air Natives, Inc.

Platinum

3 Creeks Outdoor Group

Bass Pro Shops (Independence)

Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures, LLC

Blue Ridge Bank and Trust

Blue Springs Harley Davidson

Brown Printing

Cap America

Columbia Daily Tribune

Commerce Bank

Consolidated Electric Cooperative

Dickerson Park Zoo

Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association

Fast Yeti

Forrest Keeling Nursery

General Printing Service

Greenbrier Wetland Services

Grundy Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Hartco Exteriors

Hornbuckle Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Inc.

Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning

Kansas City Parks and Recreation

Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative

McRoberts Farm, Inc.

Meramec Bison Farm, LLC

Missouri Conservation Pioneers

Missouri Deer Classic

Missouri Mavericks

Missouri Teardrops

MTAR

REMAX Boone Realty

Shade Tree Service, Inc.

Shady Lane Cabins & Motel

Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

Tabor Plastics Company

The Bank of Missouri

United Electric Cooperative, Inc.

White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

iron


Advantage Metals RecyclingAmeren Missouri

Association of Missouri Electric CooperativesBlack Widow Custom Bows, Inc.

Drury Hotels

Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inn at Grand Glaize

James T. Blair IVMissouri Petroleum Council

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

Missouri Wine & Grape BoardNW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

Sierra Bullets, LLCTiger Hotel

Bronze

6 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

I will frame a response to this question

through observations made while floating and camping on the Jacks Fork

River. This picturesque, spring-fed stream is part of the Ozark Scenic National Riverways National Park. It flows about 45 miles eastward through magnificent limestone bluffs to merge with the Current River.

During my Jacks Fork adventures, I enjoy listening to bobwhite quail calls from nearby fields, watching river otter scramble along the bank, smallmouth bass darting away from my canoe’s shadow, wild turkey flushing from trees along the river, and white-tailed deer quietly watering downstream. These wonderful natural wildlife sights and sounds have been sustained in their natural habitats through conservation management practices.

I also see families fishing, swimming and enjoying the clean, fresh water. Visitors access the river through roads and trails that have been provided and maintained as part of comprehensive conservation plans. Many hike the trails to observe wildlife and to experience the sights and sounds of an Ozark forest. Conservationists monitor the conditions of natural settings to assure appropriate management is in place, including regulations, to sustain the natural state of the forest, fish and wildlife resources.

Biological, physical and social

scientists coordinate to provide information needed to develop effective conservation management practices. Maintaining clean, unpolluted river water is one example. Conservationists systematically monitor populations of river insects that can serve as good indicators of polluted water. Dobson fly larva, the hellgrammite, is one such species that morphs to adulthood in river riffles. Should this insect population wane, environmental scientists will collaborate to determine the source and nature of the pollutants to support the development of remedial management actions.

All of the above examples of conservation-in-action along the Jacks Fork River include development and implementation of management plans to sustain wildlife and their

habitats. We are fortunate that Missouri successfully engages in multi-disciplinary, multi-agency and multi-organizational collaboration to conserve its natural resources.

Missouri citizens strongly support successful conservation. The Conservation Federation of Missouri represents public interests to ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

Let’s all “put in” and head on down the river to experience conservation’s role in sustaining the quality of our outdoor experiences.

Yours in Conservation.Al Vogt

President, CFM

Views of Conservation from a CanoeprEsiDEnt’s mEssagE

Do we realize the role conservation plays in the quality of our outdoor experiences in Missouri?


8 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC) was formed in 1984 after a referendum was passed to establish a one-half cent per bushel of corn checkoff. MCMC is

an organization of corn growers invested in developing and expanding corn and corn-based ethanol markets, promoting environmental stewardship, educating customers and exploring new research opportunities.

MCMC contracts with the U.S. Grains Council to expand grain marketing opportunities abroad. State checkoff dollars, agribusiness funding and producer dollars are leveraged to get Federal foreign Market Development funding to help expand corn markets. MCMC also works with the U.S. Meat Export Federation to develop foreign markets for beef, veal, pork and lamb.

“The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship around the state. Our natural resources are important

to our organization and our members. We are proud to support the Conservation Federation of Missouri and their dedication to protecting Missouri’s great outdoors,” said Gary Marshall, CEO of MCMC.

Business Alliance Spotlight — Missouri Corn Merchandising Council

Brandon Butler, CFM Executive Director (left) and Rehan Nana, CFM Deputy Director (right) present Gary Marshall (center), Missouri Corn Merchandis-ing Council CEO, a granite display for their Platinum Level Business Alliance membership.


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1 0 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

As late summer beckons the coming fall, landscapes in the

Midwest begin to take on a golden hue, due in part to blooming goldenrod. A native plant of prairies, goldenrod does a lot more than just influence the color of landscape. More importantly there is something that it does not make you sneeze.

Often blamed for fall allergies, goldenrod has been the innocent victim of a bad rap. Goldenrod was once the leading candidate for our national flower. As recent as 1964, a Chicago Tribune editorial campaigned for the goldenrod to have this distinction:

“My entry for a national flower, if any, would be the goldenrod... On the hammocks about Fort Meade, Fla., there is a golden-rod which grows to be 18 feet tall. A dwarf form, from 3 to 12 inches tall, is found on the tops of mountains in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and the -upper peninsula of Michigan. One species grows only in salt marshes along the Atlantic coast, and there is a box goldenrod with a turnip- like root used by the Ojibwe and Pottawatomie to make a poultice for “ripening” boils... Vote for Goldenrod, the Pee-puls Choice.”

Unfortunately the association of goldenrod with allergies doomed its bid for the title and has plagued it into current day rebuff.

The real allergy culprit, ragweed, is a plant that blooms at the same time as goldenrod, but is wind pollinated and hence has a lightweight pollen that fills the air as it blows around.

Goldenrod, in contrast, actually has a very dense pollen and hence, must be pollinated by insects. This difference should allow gardeners to rest assured: goldenrod is a beautiful and worthy addition to any garden or yard.

As the Chicago Tribune editorial columnist alluded to, goldenrod has long been revered for having many benefits. All goldenrod species were originally in the genus Solidago, which means “to make whole.” Goldenrod

is a diuretic and used in herbal teas and blends. It has also been used to reduce inflammation and is available in current day essential oil blends. Thomas Edison even tried to make rubber from goldenrod.

Goldenrod is also a host plant for many butterfly, moth, and other beneficial insect species, supporting their larval forms. The prolific nectar produced by goldenrod is prized among adult insects including honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Honey that comes from bees feasting on goldenrod is promoted and prized among beekeepers. Goldenrod honey will have a much darker color than honey coming from early-season blooms such as clover, and boasts a delicious, slightly spicy flavor. The nutrition provided by goldenrod helps the bees through the winter and supports good food production for the brood that comes early the following year.

One of the most important roles goldenrod plays is fueling the monarch migration. With more than 100 species native to North America, goldenrod—along with asters and other regional nectar plants—provides the monarch butterfly a steady supply of nectar on its 3,000-mile journey to the over-wintering

grounds in Mexico. Dr. Chip Taylor with Monarch Watch has a favorite goldenrod species for monarch butterflies migrating through Missouri: rigid goldenrod, the scientific name of which is Solidago rigida or Oligoneuron rigidum, depending on which side of the nomenclature debate you land on. Rigid goldenrod has clusters of flowers that are flatter than most goldenrods and sit atop stiff, upright stems. This goldenrod has deep roots and withstands drought.

With all the beauty and benefits goldenrod brings to the landscape, it should be a welcome addition to any planting as a staple for pollinators. For more information on species of goldenrod native to Missouri and where to find them visit www.grownative.org.

Mary Nemecek

Mary Nemecek is the Conservation Chair of Burroughs Audubon, a

Missouri Master Naturalist and a CFM and Missouri

Prairie Foundation member. Grow Native! is a native plant education and marketing program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, an affiliate

member of CFM.

Goldenrod!

A caterpillar on goldenrod. Photo credit: Betsy Betros.

Nothing to Sneeze At

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1 1

Jane Abernathy, Independence

Joe Allen, Branson

Lisa Allen, New London

Colin Anthony, Franklin, MI

Shelly Arnold, Sedalia

Kenneth Babcock, Jamestown

Zachary Baker, Montgomery City

Chris Barton, Farmington

Scott Bauer, Saint Louis

Shaun Bisted, Saint Charles

John Brune, Wright City

Kyle Clinton, Saint Charles

Dustin Collier, Fulton

Paul Davis, Poplar Bluff

Chance Dowling, Sikeston

Martin Drebes, Saint Louis

Tom Drummond, Fenton

Ray Eye, Hillsboro

Lane Fischer, Kirbyville

David Fisher, Saint Peters

Sheila Gassner, Jefferson City

James Hamilton, Kansas City

Brad Harriman, Pilot Grove

Janet Haslerig, Jefferson City

Jason Howard, Independence

Mike Jarvis, Saint Louis

Ben Jurd, Independence

Barbara Keller, Columbia

Matthew Kesler, Saint Charles

Lisa Masters, O’Fallon

Kathleen McKinney, Saint Louis

Adam McLane, Glencoe

Todd Meyer, Leslie

Scott Muehlhauser, Bridgeton

Stu Murphy, Jefferson City

Tim Noland, Sedalia

Robert Randall, Billings

Jake Reese, Shawnee, KS

Janice Robinson, Independence

Todd Sampsell, Hartsburg

Bud Sanson, Dodge Center, MN

Ralph Schaefer, Jefferson City

Roland Schwarzen, Marthasville

Joel Shipman, Greentop

Richard Stanton, Gilman City

Charles Stewart, Republic

Larry Sturgeon, Florissant

Rafael Svilarich, Granby

Ken Taylor, Overland Park, KS

Chris Thomas, Saint Peters

Rayford Thompson, Jefferson City

Charles Tichacek, Manchester

Melinda Van Buren, Saint Louis

Kristin Van De Velde, Jefferson City

Gary Vogel, Florissant

Chris Vogler, Saint Louis

Jim Vogt, Valley Park

Randy Walker, Mexico

Timmothy Ward, Washington

Derek Watkins, Nixa

Richard Willis, O’Fallon

Scott Wilson, Chesterfield

C F M N E W M E M B E R SWELCOME

CFM would like to thank the 318 members that renewed since our last publication.


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1 2 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Driving over 3,000 miles from the Midwest to

the Rocky Mountains and back in 10 days doesn’t leave a lot of time for sitting still. With so much opportunity on a western road trip you don’t want to stay in one place too long. Our family vacation might not have been overly relaxing, but it was full of memory making destinations and experiences. Here are a few highlights.

Black Hills, South Dakota

The Black Hills of South Dakota is an incredible region. There is so much to do in the outdoors. The region is dotted with unique little towns and attractions that draw millions of tourists each year. Mount Rushmore is one of the highlights. If you’ve never seen the monument, then you should make plans to. Standing there starring up at Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved in stone, knowing they’ll remain so for millenniums, I don’t know how as an American you can’t be filled with an incredible sense of pride. It’s awe-inspiring.

The Historic District of Deadwood, South Dakota takes you back to the end of the Wild West. Calamity Jane, Seth

Bullock, Charlie Utter and Wild Bill Hickok were just a few legends of the west that spent time in the mining town. Today, Deadwood offers lodging, dining and entertainment along the same streets those historic figures strolled. You can play poker in the same saloons cowboys won and lost their fortunes in.

Cody, Wyoming

Cody is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park for those traveling from the east. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a complex of five museums and a research library. Visiting this set of museums is

as an absolute must for anyone who appreciates the old west and firearms. The five museums are the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indians Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Cody Firearms Museum and Draper Natural History Museum. The collection of firearms in the Cody Firearms Museum numbers over 7,000 and takes you from

the beginning of firearms production to modern times. It’s remarkable. And the artwork in the Whitney Western Art Museum is one of the greatest collections of western art in the world.

The Cody Nite Rodeo takes place every night on the western edge of town. It was started in 1938 and is the longest running

Western Road Trip Full of Outdoor Adventure

1 2 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Visiting Mount Rushmore should be on everyone’s bucket list. Photo credit: Brandon Butler.

The Cody Nite Rodeo takes place every night from June – August. Photo credit: Brandon Butler.


rodeo in the world. Taking in the rodeo, watching the barrel racers and bull riders, really hammers home the fact that you’re out west. Dust flies as the sun sets behind the mountains painting the way to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is unlike any other place I have ever been, and I have been to a number of national parks and world-renowned outdoor destinations. In two days of camping and exploring the park, we saw antelope, bison, bears, elk, deer, coyotes, moose and more. We didn’t see any wolves, and I had hoped to, but maybe next time. Watching the geyser Old Faithful erupt was a highlight of the trip for my daughters who had never seen it before. For me, the highlight of the park came when I caught my first native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout from the Lamar River. The trout hit as I stood knee deep in crystal clear rushing water, with a bison herd sauntering near by. With the trout in hand, I checked a box on my personal bucket list.

Billings, Montana

Venturing into Billings was a coming home party of sorts. My wife and I lived there for four years. We moved away when our oldest daughter, Bailee, was 10-months old. This trip was planned to coincide with Bailee’s 10th birthday. It worked out. She turned 10 just a couple of blocks from the hospital she

was born in. We showed her our home and visited a few of our favorite restaurants.

Billings is Montana’s largest metropolitan area. The city is home to just over 100,000 residents. It has all the stores and downtown amenities one could desire, but at all times you’re just minutes from escaping the city and being in wide open expanses of the Yellowstone Valley. The city is a wonderful starting point for those wishing to fly to Montana, rent a car and start their adventure from there.

With a little bit of planning, you can easily put together a plan to experience an incredible road trip tour of the Rocky Mountain West. There is so much to do and see. With so many rivers to fish and trails to hike, you can’t really go wrong in which ones you choose. But there are sights you should see and places you should visit. The ones named above are a few of my favorites.

See you down the trail…

Brandon Butler

A cow elk and her two calves drink of mineral water in Yel-lowstone National Park. Photo credit: Brandon Butler.

Motherly love abounds in Yellowstone during the early sum-mer. Photo credit: Brandon Butler.

The five museums of the Buffalo Bill Center cater to all ages. Photo credit: Brandon Butler.

Where to stay. Deadwood Comfort Inn 225 Cliff Street, South Hwy. 85 Deadwood, SD 57732 (800) 961-3096

The Cody Hotel 232 W. Yellowstone Ave, Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-5915

Best Western Clocktower 2511 1st Ave N, Billings, MT 59101 (406) 259-5511

1 4 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

AFFILIATE EVENTS

AUDUBON SOCITY OF MISSOURIsePt 25-26: Fall Meeting, Camp Clover Point, Lake of the Ozarks State Park

FOREST AND WOODLAND ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURIsePt 26: Annual MeetingOct 2-4: Ozark Fall Farm FestOct 17: Missouri Chestnut Roast, MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Center, New Franklin (10:00am)

GREENWAY NETWORKsePt 5: Saint Charles County Storm Drain Marking, Saint Peters (9:00am - 12:00pm)sePt 6: Confluence Pedal/Paddle Trip, Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area (10:00am - 1:00pm)sePt 7: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Peters (7:00pm - 9:00pm)sePt 9: Big Muddy Speaker Series, Big A’s Restaurant, Saint Charles (4:30pm - 8:30pm)sePt 13: Fall Dardenne Creek Moni-toring Day (8:00am - 2:00pm)sePt 13: Tough Pedal/Paddle Trip, Katy Trail Head, Weldon Springs Con-servation Area (9:00AM - 3:00PM)sePt 26: National Public Lands DayOct 3: Storm Drain Marking Project, Saint Peters (9:00am - 12:00pm)Oct 5: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Peters (7:00pm - 9:00pm)Oct 7: Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Tivoli Theatre, University City (6:30pm - 10:00m)Oct 11: Great Rivers Confluence Volunteer Clean Up & Nature Walk (8:30am - 2:00pm)Oct 14: Big Muddy Speaker Series, Big A’s Restaurant, Saint Charles (4:30pm - 8:30pm)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATIONsePt 9: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:30pm)Oct 14: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:30pm)

MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITEDsePt 11: Osage Dinner, Saint George Catholic Church, Linn (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Dale Williams (573) 690-9676sePt 12: Marmaton Valley Dinner, Eagles Lodge, Nevada (6:00pm

- 9:30pm); Brian Conroy (417) 321-9186 or BG Wolfe (417) 321-9800sePt 12: Parkville Dinner, Athletic Complex, Parkville (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Dan Mason (816) 377-0696 or Dave Velky (816) 421-0044sePt 12: Carthage Membership Din-ner, Memorial Hall, Carthage (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Jason Hill (417) 850-5111sePt 18: Mineral Hill Dinner, Twin Oaks Vineyard & Winery, Farmington (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Mike Walker (573) 330-8347, Justin Raith (573) 783-9784 or Monica Walker (573) 330-8345sePt 18: Sportsman’s Night Out and Sponsor Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, Saint Joseph (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Chris Thompson (816) 383-2410 or Casey Schultz (816) 390-6196sePt 19: Swampeast Annual Sports-man’s Dinner, Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Doug Glenn (573) 621-0257 or Andy Piepenbrok (573) 380-4580sePt 26: Greater Kansas City Gun Bash, C- Point Pavilion, Weatherby Lake (5:00pm - 9:00pm); Daniel Lacy (816) 918-1558, Richard Woody (913) 345-1030 or John Dillow (816) 591-0457sePt 26: 3rd Annual Christian County Bingo Night, Elks Lodge, Ozark (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Scott Lam-beth (417) 838-8441, Kenny Dugger (417) 724-8173 or Jason Pritchard (417) 238-4096sePt 26: Grand River Dinner, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe (5:30pm - 10:00pm); David Hamilton (660) 247-0825 or Allen Jeffries (660) 247-0705Oct 10: Excelsior Springs Dinner, Ryther’s Community Building, Lawson (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Bill Williams (816) 283-6583 or Bruce Yager (816) 806-8564Oct 10: Cass County Dinner, Elks Lodge, Harrisonville (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Phil Needham (816) 899-2185Oct 10: Greenheads Annual Sports-man’s Dinner, Elks Lodge, Dexter (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Darren Burnett (573) 421-2607 or Mike Wilburn (573) 421-3713Oct 10: Vandalia/Bowling Green Dinner, Fairgrounds, Bowling Green (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Linda Leffeler (573) 470-6324Oct 17: McDonald County Guns and Purses, River Ranch Resort, Noel (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Lendall Wilson (417) 540-4890 or John Poynor (417) 456-0929

MISSOURI HUNTING HERITAGE FEDERATIONsePt 12-13: Youth Hunter Education Clinic and Dove Hunt, Settle’s Ford Conservation AreasePt 26-27: Youth Hunter Education Clinic and Chukar Clinic, Baier’s Den Hunting Preserve, PeculiarOct 1: Quarterly Board Meeting, Hereford House - The Pavilion at Hart-man’s Heritage Center, Independence (6:00pm - 9:00pm)Oct 2: Sportsman’s Gala, Stonehaus Farms Winery, Lees Summit (6:00pm - 10:00pm)Oct 3: 5th Annual Shoot for the Future, Powder Creek Shooting Park, Lenexa, KS (10:00am - 2:00pm)Oct 10-11: Youth Hunter Education Clinic and Urban Deer Hunt, Sports-man’s Club, Lake Lotawana

MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATIONsePt 11: Little Dixie Longbeards, Steinmans Banquet Hall, Mexico; Ben Doerge (573) 473-7009sePt 12: Cedar County Upland Chapter, Ray Zumwalt Expo Center, Stockton; Micky Morrison (417) 282-6671sePt 12: Outdoor Challenge and Shooting Sports, Lake City Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, Buckner; James Drake (816) 718-1100sePt 12: Woods Event, Lake Wappa-pello; Tonya Winters (870) 371-8628sePt 19: See’s Creek Strutters, Knights of Columbus Hall, Monroe City; Chris Kleindienst (573) 735-5406sePt 19: Saint Louis Longbeards Jakes Event, Park, Arnold; Mitchell Norris (314) 496-4180sePt 19: Spring River Toms Jakes Event, Baugh Fight Park, Reeds; Jerry Hartman (417) 388-2923sePt 25: Polk County Hillybilly Long-beards, Smith’s Restaurant, Bolivar; Mark Smith (417) 818-2150sePt 26: Shoal Creek Chapter, Casino Building, Monett; Bill House (417) 236-3719sePt 26: NRA Women on Target Instructional Shoot, Pioneer Gun Club, Holden; James Drake (816) 718-1100Oct 1: Bootheel Boss Gobblers Gun Blast, Knights of Columbus Hall, Jack-son; Timothy Schwent (573) 225-3740Oct 3: Clay Howlett Memorial, Knights of Columbus Hall, Waynes-ville; Clinton Jarrett (573) 855-1442Oct 4: Bunt Cumbea Laclede County Chapter, Cowan Civic Center, Leba-non; Karen Ray (417) 588-1643Oct 8: Bollinger County Double

Beards Gun Bash, First Baptist Church, Marble Hill; Jackie Rowe (573) 238-4535Oct 9: Gasconade River Gobblers, Community Building, Belle; Kyle Lairmore (573) 437-8899Oct 10: Clark County Longbeards, Pioneer Seed Building, Kahoka; Dusty Davis (660) 341-3683Oct 15: River Hills Thunderin Gun Bash, Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomsdale; Rob Sulkowski (573) 883-9982Oct 22: Sho-me Gun Bash, White River Convention Center, Springfield; Kevin Hess (417) 521-7447

MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONsePt 25: Southwest Region Golf Tournament, Creve Coeur Golf Club, Creve Coeur; Tim Brinks (314) 432-3961 or Gerald Brown (314) 842-7265sePt 27-28: Student Workshop Lake Ozark State ParkOct 2: Board Meeting, Jefferson City (10:00am)Oct 7-8: Executive Forum, The View Community Center, GrandviewOct 9: Southeast Region Bowling TournamentOct 21-22: Missouri Trails Summit, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City; Gary Gates (573) 363-3828Oct 27: Maintenance Workshop

MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATIONsePt 19: Glade Restoration and Converting Cropland and Fescue to Native Plantings, Kappelmann Farm, Gerald (8:30am - 3:00pm)sePt 19: Native Plant Sale at MDC’s Monarch Mania Event, Anita B. Gor-man Conservation Discovery Center, Kansas City (10:00am - 2:30pm)Oct 10: Annual Meeting and Evening on the PrairieOct 17: Guided Hike of Mule Hollow Natural Area, Peck Ranch Conserva-tion Area (10:30am)

MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ALLIANCEsePt 5: Spotted Bass RoundupsePt 15: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:00pm - 9:00pm)sePt 26: Adopt-an-Access CleanupOct 20: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:00pm - 9:00pm)

MISSOURI TRAPPERS ASSOCIATIONsePt 18-20: Annual Fall Rendezvous, Litton Ag Center, Chillicothe

CALENDARM I S S O U R I F E S T I V A L S A N D A F F I L I A T E E V E N T S


MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELDsePt 3: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)sePt 10: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)sePt 17: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)sePt 21: Fishing Trip to Roaring River State Park (9:00am - 4:00pm)sePt 21: Great Outdoor Day - Bois Arc Conservation Area (9:00am - 3:00pm)Oct 1: Monthly Meeting (6:00pm - 9:00pm)Oct 1-3: Southern Council Fly Fish-ing Fair

KANSAS CITYsePt 8: Fly Tying/Rod Building ClasssePt 27-28: Fall Derby - Roaring River State ParkOct 2-4: FFF Southern Council ConclaveOct 10-12: Clun Trip to Taneycomo - BransonOct 28: Club Meeting - Chili Dinner and Raffle, Fleming Hall (6:30pm)

MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITEDsePt 12: Kingdom of Callaway Chap-ter Banquet, Saint Peters Hall, Fulton

sePt 19: Anchor City Chapter Ban-quet, Nic-N-Noah’s Sports and Event Center, CentraliasePt 26: Southern Boone Chapter Banquet, Optimist Club, AshlandOct 3: Mississippi Valley Chapter Banquet, Admiral Coontz Armory, HannibalOct 17: Show Me Chapter Banquet, Caldwell Building, CantonOct 24: David Creek Chapter Ban-quet, Community Center, Higginsville

OZARK FLY FISHERSsePt 24: General Membership Meet-ing, Queeny Park, Ballwin (7:00pm)Oct 22: General Membership Meet-ing, Queeny Park, Ballwin (7:00pm)

OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUBsePt 5-7: Clean Up TripsePt 12: Dutch Oven Cooking, Swope Park, Kansas City (4:00pm - 6:30pm)sePt 12: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm - 7:30pm)sePt 12: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm - 9:00pm)sePt 14-16: Eleven Point River, Greer Spring - Mark Twain National Forest, Woodside

sePt 18: Missouri River, ParkvilleOct 3-5: North Fork River, Patrick Bridge Access, CaulfieldOct 6: Bryant Creek, Patrick Bridge Access, CaulfieldOct 7: State Park Tour - Exploring Missouri State Parks, Stockton State ParkOct 8: State Park Tour - Exploring Missouri State Parks, Pomme de Terre State ParkOct 9: State Park Tour - Exploring Missouri State Parks, Harry S. Truman State ParkOct 10: Water Quality Testing, Minor Park, Kansas City (10:00am - 11:00am)Oct 10: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm - 7:30pm)Oct 10: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm - 9:00pm)Oct 11: Weaubleau Creek, Harry S. Truman State Park, WarsawOct 17-21: Fall Canoefest, Jadwin Canoe Rental, Jadwin

OZARKS WATER WATCHERSsePt 19: Lake Taneycomo Clean Up; Deb (417) 739-4100sePt 26: Beaver Lake Clean Up; Angela Danovi (479) 295-7717

POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES, INC.sePt 19: Guide for a Day and Meeting - State Park Shelter, Pomme de Terre Lake; Steve Worstell (816) 520-2371Oct 2: Friday Fall Muskie Tourna-ment, Pomme de Terre Lake; George Donner (816) 678-1623Oct 3-4: Saturday/Sunday Fall Muskie Tournament, Pomme de Terre Lake; George Donner (816) 678-1623Oct 17: CPR Mail-in Tournament, Missouri Lakes and Kincaid; Wayne Humphrey (314) 440-2173

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATIONsePt 12: Missouri Elk Capital Big Game Banquet, Eminence; Jim Ander-son (573) 226-3893

SAINT LOUIS AUDUBON SOCIETYsePt 11: Shaw Wildlife Market, Missouri Botanical Garden - Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit (4:00pm - 7:30pm)sePt 26: Native Plant Expo, Schlafly Bottleworks, Saint Louis (9:00am - 3:00pm)Oct 3: Beginner Bird Walk, Forest Park, Saint Louis (8:15am - 10:30am)

1 6 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Over the past decade, monarch butterfly populations have

declined by more than 90% due to a variety of factors including habitat loss and lack of milkweed plants, the sole host plant for monarchs in the breeding process. In September 2014, several national groups submitted a request to the US Fish and Wildlife Service to consider listing the monarch butterfly

under the Endangered Species Act. Rather than support this reactive policy approach, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF), Conservation Federation of Missouri and Missouri Department of Conservation invited representatives from agencies, nongovernment organizations, agriculture, land owners, and others to come together on July 13 and 14 at the University of Missouri to begin the development of a statewide coordinated strategy for sustainable habitat enhancement to assist in the recovery of monarch butterflies and other pollinators in Missouri.

During the meeting, 47 participants representing 32 different groups

collaborated to prioritize areas of focus which will lay the groundwork for a well-organized and funded statewide collaboration. Missouri’s primary strategy for monarch recovery will focus on expanding and creating milkweed and nectar plant habitat to support robust breeding and successful migration throughout the state. Many other priority strategies were agreed upon and are being pulled together in a

summary document. All participants agreed that the monarch is a charismatic representative of insect species and efforts to aid its resurgence will benefit a variety of pollinator insects, birds and mammals as well. Creation of a statewide Steering Committee and hiring a coordinator are key next steps to achieving the priorities of the collaborative.

What can YOU do to help the monarchs? The best way for you to help the monarch is to provide good habitat with the food source they need – milkweed plants (the only food source for the monarch caterpillar). Below are just a few resources to get you started on creating or enhancing habitats for monarchs on your own property and in your backyard. Also, stop by the CFM website often for updates about the collaborative. If you would like to be involved please email Laurie Coleman at [email protected].

Saving Monarchs: Major Organizations Bring Power and Enthusiasm to

New Statewide Collaboration

To ensure cross-pollination of ideas, participants were asked to change discussion partners with each new topic. Photo credit: Lee Phillion.

Eric Sachs (Monsanto) presents breakout group ideas. Photo credit: Lee Phillion.

http://missouriansformonarchs.blogspot.com/

http://grownative.org/

http://www.nwf.org/Pollinators/Monarch.aspx

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/monarch


This statewide collaborative would not have been possible without the generous support from these sponsors.

• Missouri Associated Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

• Conservation Federation of Missouri

• Pat Jones and Prairie Fork Conservation Area

• The Katy Land Trust

• Magnificent Missouri

• Missouri Prairie Foundation and its Grow Native! Program

• Missouri Department of Conservation

• Mizzou Botanic Gardens

• National Wildlife Federation

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Howard Wood

• Nicole Wood

Saturday, September 12Saturday, September 12Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Location: Weldon Spring Site

7295 Highway 94 South, St. Charles, MO 63304

FAMILY FUN FREE PUBLIC EVENT!

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

The Weldon Spring Site is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management

FAMILY FUN FREE PUBLIC EVENT!

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Location: Weldon Spring Site

7295 Highway 94 South, St. Charles, MO 63304

Phone: (636) 300-2600 Email: [email protected]

1 8 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

For more details visit: http://www.mopark.org/trailsummit.html


2 0 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

agEncy nEws - DEpartmEnt of consErvation

Gov. Jay Nixon recently announced his reappointment

of Don C. Bedell of Sikeston to the Missouri Conservation Commission. The Commission protects and manages Missouri’s forest, fish and wildlife resources and provides opportunities for Missourians to use, enjoy, and learn about nature.

“Don Bedell’s service on the Conservation Commission since 2009, including a term as chair, has been exemplary, cementing Missouri’s role as the nationwide leader in conservation,” said Gov. Nixon regarding his July 24 reappointment of Bedell.

Gov. Nixon added that, during the past six years, with Bedell as a member, the Missouri Conservation Commission has seen record harvests of wildlife, and increased numbers of participants in outdoor conservation-related activities, particularly among Missouri’s youth, minority, and disabled populations. The Governor praised the commission for its excellent management of Missouri’s wildlife and forestry resources, even in challenging circumstances.

Conservation Commissioner Don Bedell stated, “It is an honor to have been appointed and

serve Missouri citizens these past six years. The combined work and dedication of Department staff and Missouri citizens has resulted in some great conservation achievements over the last six years. The Governor, First Lady, and my fellow Commissioners are great conservationists who continue to help Missouri be a national and world leader in conservation. I am both flattered and humbled to serve a second term on the Conservation Commission.”

Bedell, a Republican, is an accomplished businessman, avid conservationist and enthusiastic sportsman. He is a Life Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, a Life Member of Quail Unlimited, Inc., a Life Member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, a Diamond Sponsor of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and a Life Member of

Safari Club International.He holds a Bachelor

of Science degree in Agriculture and a Master of Science degree in Animal Nutrition with a double minor in biochemistry and wildlife. He is owner of B&B Boats and Bikes in Sikeston and B&R Marine & Cycle in Batesville, Ark. He has founded and run numerous other businesses, primarily in healthcare/nursing home management. He serves on numerous boards of directors and is an advisory board member to the Southeast Missouri State University College of Health and Human Services.

The four members of the Conservation Commission serve six year terms and are appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than two Commissioners from the same political party may serve at the same time. Commissioners receive no salary or other

compensation. The three other Commissioners are Marilynn J. Bradford of Jefferson City who serves as Commission Chair, David W. Murphy of Columbia who serves as Vice Chair, and James T. Blair, IV, of St. Louis who serves as Secretary.

Commissioner responsibilities are statewide and include serving as the Conservation Department’s policy makers, approving Wildlife Code regulations, strategic planning, budget development and major expenditure decisions, and appointing the director of the Conservation Department.

The Governor has appointed Bedell to a term that ends July 1, 2021. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Joe JerekNews Services

Coordinator, MDC

Conservation Commissioner Don Bedell Reappointed by Governor Nixon

Photo credit: MDC


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2 2 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Thanks to all of the shooters, banquet attendees, volunteers and generous sponsors, the 9th Annual Pull for Con-servation was an incredible success. We

are already looking forward to continuing the tradition next August when we mark a decade of breaking clays for conservation.

Bass Pro Shops in Columbia buzzed with ex-citement during the pre-shoot Pull for Conserva-tion Banquet. Attendees enjoyed a fun-filled night of browsing silent auction items, participating in raffles and enjoying dinner with both old and new friends. Over 90 people attended the ban-quet. Many of whom joined us bright and early the next morning for the shoot.

CFM’s 9th Annual Pull For Conservation

Debbie Wingo was the winner of the bow raffle. Photo credit: Emma Kessinger

Pull for Conservation banquet attendees. Photo credit: emma Kessinger

Attendees browse the silent auction items. Photo credit: Emma Kessinger


Top left: Ready. Aim. Fire. Photo credit: Emma Kessinger

Top right: Taylor McKenna, Sara & Scott Pauley and Dave Murphy Photo credit: Emma Kessinger

Bottom left: Shooting the 5-stand. Photo credit: Emma Kessinger

Bottom right: Shooters on the scramble course. Photo credit: Emma Kessinger


Shots rang, guns smoked and empty shells fell to the ground, as 158 shooters shouted, “pull” during our larg-est Pull for Conservation to date.

The shoot was once again held at River Hills Sporting Clays in Boonville with the help of the new owner, Kirk Powell.

Shooters competed as individuals and teams, vying for first through third place awards. Bass Pro Shops gener-ously donated gift cards and shotgun shells as prizes.

The Pull for Conservation would not be possible with-out the help of our volunteers. CFM sincerely thanks all those who helped throughout the weekend to make sure both events ran smoothly. A special thanks goes out to the Pull for Conservation Committee of Tom Russell, Norm Stuckey and Glenn Chambers.

Winners:teaMs:

c class (47) 3rd: Dave Geiger / Louis Richter 2nd: Ron Whittaker / Jack Creason 1st: Jack Whittle / Stephen Caldwell

B class (59) 3rd: Mark Bockerstett / Kevin Bockerstett 2nd: Fred Robinson / Charles Campbell 1st: Cheryl Dowil / Jerome Kleekamp

a class (73) 3rd: Nash McKenzie / Garrett Benskin 2nd: John Dowil / Cheryl Dowil 1st: Stu DeVore / Matthew DeVore

iNDiViDUaLs:

c class (36) 3rd: Jack Creason 2nd: Fred Robinson 1st: Don Clever Jr.

B class (43) 3rd: Dave Hamilton 2nd: Aaron Madrid 1st: Spencer Tieman

a class (48) 3rd: James Hayhurst 2nd: Mark Rowden 1st: Scott Harrison

2 4 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

AGRI Services of Brunswick

AJ’s Automotive & Air Conditioning

Boggs Creek Sporting Goods

Boone County Lumber Company

Chariton Legacy Farm

Clean Uniforms

Dents Unlimited

Farmer’s Co-op Elevator - St. Peters

Gateway Long Spurs Chapter NWTF

Henderson Implement

Hunting Works for Missouri

Joe Machens Dealerships

Logboat

MidwayUSA

Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation

Missouri Whitetails Unlimited

Missouri Wine & Grape Board

Nick’s Family Restaurant

Scott & Sara Pauley

Red Weir Athletic Supplies

River Hills Sporting Clays

Mike & Mossie Schallon

SelecTurf, Inc.

Sundvold Financial

Timberlake Engineering

Trumans Bar & Grill

Randy Washburn

2 4 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5


Yeti Hopper 20 and 30 - Welcome to the world’s toughest soft-sided cooler. Ordi-nary soft-sided coolers are flimsy, frail, and only slightly better at cooling beverages than just leaving them in the shade. But the YETI Hopper is different. No matter where you carry it or how you handle it, the Hopper won’t leak or break. And just like all YETI Coolers, it’s over-engineered to keep ice for days. The YETI Hopper is the leakproof, ice-for-days, go-anywhere cooler you’ve always wanted, but could never find. The Hopper comes in two sizes. The 20 holds 12 cans and the 30 holds 18 cans. www.yeticoolers.com

Costa Del Mar Cortez - The Sea of Cortez has been called “the world’s aquarium,” and few waters can match its variety and abundance of marine life. These rugged sunglasses with linear venting, tough nylon material and large fit, were built strong enough to hold their own as you explore any body of water. They feature a comfortable large fit, integral hinge, a heavy-duty frame, 100 percent ultraviolet light protection and 100 percent polarization. Costas are built by hand and backed for life with a lifetime warranty. www.costadelmar.com

GSI Pinnacle Basecamper - It doesn’t matter if you are in the backcountry or tailgating at the big game, the GSI Pinnacle Basecamper is the perfect portable cookset. The Pinnacle Basecamper includes a 5 liter pot, 3 liter pot, 9 inch fry-pan, 2 strainer lids, a cutting board and a folding pot gripper. The entire set fits conveniently together into a rugged stuff sack. The pans are coated with Teflon® Radiance technology for exceptional non-stick performance. Quality and convenience make the GSI Pinnacle Basecamper the cookset you want for all your outdoor adventures. www.gsioutdoors.com

Rebel Wee-Crawfish - Fall is the perfect time to fish Ozark rivers and streams for smallmouth bass. And no lure may catch more of them than a crawfish imitation. The Rebel Wee Crawfish is the original realistic crawfish crankbait. No other crankbait mimics a fleeing crawfish better than a

Rebel Craw. It’s the super-realistic body and paint scheme combined with the distinct pulsating action that makes it irresistible to fish. www.rebellures.com

Advantage PEET® Dryer - Wet boots are a bummer. If you have ever soaked a pair of boots, then you know how hard it is and how long it takes to dry them out. PEET Dryer put an end to that headache, and the Advantage PEET Dryer can handle two sets of boots or other accessories at once. The Advantage PEET powers air through the Air Chambers and DryPorts with a fan, to dry gear faster than our traditional natural convection models. The Advantage PEET dries most footwear in 1-4 hours, depending on the saturation of the item. www.peetdryer.com

Gear Guide

2 6 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5


C o n s e r v a t i o n F e d e r a t i o n o F M i s s o u r i a F F i L i a t e sAnglers of Missouri, Inc.

Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Audubon Society of Missouri

Bass-Hole Bassmasters of Missouri, Inc.

Bass Slammer Tackle

Big Game Hunters, Inc.

Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City

Capital City Fly Fishers

Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment

Deer Creek Sportsman’s Club, Inc.

Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club

Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri

Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Gateway Chapter Trout Unlimited

Greenbelt Land Trust of Mid-Missouri

Greenway Network, Inc.

Heaven’s Anglers

Jefferson County Coon Hunters, Inc.

Katy Land Trust

Mid Missouri Outdoor Dream

Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited

Midwest Diving Council

Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association

Missouri Association of Meat Processors

Missouri Atlatl Association

Missouri BASS Federation Nation

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative

Missouri Bow Hunters Association

Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society

Missouri Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society

Missouri Conservation Agents Association

Missouri Conservation Pioneers

Missouri Consulting Foresters Association

Missouri Delta Waterfowl

Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council

Missouri Farmers Care

Missouri Forest Products Association

Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF

Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc.

Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation

Missouri Native Seed Association

Missouri Parks & Recreation Association

Missouri Parks Association

Missouri Prairie Foundation

Missouri River Bird Observatory

Missouri Smallmouth Alliance

Missouri Sport Shooting Association

Missouri State Campers Association

Missouri State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association

Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station

Missouri Taxidermist Association

Missouri Trappers Association

Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association

Missouri Whitetails Unlimited

Mule Deer Foundation

North Side Division Conservation Federation

Open Space Council of the Saint Louis Region

Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc.

Ozark Regional Land Trust

Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club

Ozarks Water Watchers

Perry County Sportsman Club

Pomme de Terre Chapter Muskies, Inc.

Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc.

Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever

River Bluffs Audubon Society

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

South Side Division Conservation Federation

Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers

St. Louis Audubon Society

Tipton Farmers & Sportsman’s Club

Troutbusters of Missouri

United Bow Hunters of Missouri

Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods

Wecomo Sportsman’s Club

Wild Elk Institute of Missouri

Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club

Discover the unique history of the “Missouri Model” of wetland and waterfowl management in this large format and richly illustrated new book.

The success of Missouri’s waterfowl and wetland conservation is not an accident. Careful planning, skillful execution of well-designed strategies, public

and private partnerships, strong citizen support and dedicated funding have all led to the quality wetland habitats and migratory bird populations that we enjoy today. This book chronicles and celebrates this success. The book’s authors, many of them former waterfowl biologists and wetland managers, have donated their services to produce this book. Sponsors, anchored by Bass Pro Shops, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Ducks Unlimited, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and private citizens, have covered all production costs.

High quality color photographs, reproductions of well-known waterfowl artwork and historic black and white photos are found throughout this book. This is a must have book for all serious migratory bird hunters, and all net proceeds from sales of the book will be dedicated to wetland and waterfowl conservation that benefits Missouri.

For more information and to order a first edition copy of the book, visit www.mochf.org .

Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri - A Model of Collaboration

Limited copies of the first edition are still available

2 8 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Nominate an Outstanding StudentCLC Seeking to Expand Participation

The Youth Leadership and Conservation Education Committee of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is seeking nominations of students to the Conservation

Leadership Corps (CLC). We are seeking nominations from all CFM members as well as conservation profes-sionals in education and agencies.

What is the Conservation Leadership Corps? Fed-eration members who attended any of the past several conventions are well aware of this vibrant group of young men and women that want to make an impact on conservation issues now and in the future.

The CLC consists of a group of highly recommended students, ranging from juniors in high school through seniors in college. These students have already achieved academic success and have been involved in conserva-tion projects and issues. CLC began in 2002 with a small group of students. Each year the membership has expanded.

The program has been enthusiastically received by CLC members and CFM members alike.

Please take a few minutes to nominate that special student. Provide an opportunity for a young man or woman to see how CFM works. Let a budding conser-vationist meet and network with others on important conservation issues. Our aim is to engage students from every part of our great state. We also urge you to nomi-nate students from the diversity of Missouri cultures and backgrounds. This is your chance to make a contri-bution bringing future conservation leaders into CFM.

WE NEED TO RECEIVE YOUR NOMINATIONS BY OCTOBER 31, 2015.

The Mission of the Conservation Leadership Corps

Mission Statement: Engaging youth in sustaining the conservation of our natural resources

2 8 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Purpose: Sustain conservation leadership in Missouri and the Conservation Federation of Missouri through involvement, education and training of future leaders by providing selected high school and college students with networking skills, conservation education opportunities and full participation in policy making and the legislative process.

Vision 1: Young members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri who are dedicated to its cause and are being educated and trained to assume future leadership roles within the organization.

Vision 2: A cadre of involved, educated and trained young individuals committed to the conservation of Missouri’s abundant natural resources.

Vision 3: A group of well-educated and trained professionals who are committed to working in the field of natural resources management in Missouri.


You are invited to nominate a Missouri high school junior through college senior student that has exhibited academic success and achievements in organized conservation projects. You may nominate more than one student.

Student Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ Zip: _____________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: (_________) _____________________________

Present School and Class Level: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nominator’s Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CFM Affiliate or Sustaining Member: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ Zip: _____________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: (_________) _____________________________

What qualities has the nominee exhibited that you believe qualifies him/or her for acceptance in the Conservation Leadership Corps?

Please return this form by October 31, 2015 to: Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

CLC Nomination Form


3 0 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

St. Louis is the second stop of CFM’s regional event series in 2015. Taking place on October 24, 2015 at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center and The Lodge at Des Peres, the event familiarizes St.

Louis residents with the outdoor opportunities in the area while they learn more about the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Unique to Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis evening banquet, CFM is hosting Dr. Peter Raven, President Emeritus of Missouri Botanical Gardens; Andy Buchsbaum, Vice President of Conservation Action for the National Wildlife Federation; and Bob Ziehmer, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, for a panel discussion on world, national, and state conservation issues.

“Following the incredible success at the Explore the Outdoors: Kansas City event, we are pleased to bring the Explore the Outdoor series to St. Louis, which has historically been a strong support base for CFM and conservation,” said Brandon Butler, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “The St. Louis region is flush with outdoor opportunity. With just a short drive from anywhere in the city, you can reach a number of outdoor recreation activities. The opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy nature in and around the St. Louis area are endless.”

“Additionally, with such distinguished speakers, we are confident the panel discussion will offer guests an irreplaceable perspective on different conservation issues we face in the 21st century,” continued Butler.

Many St. Louis residents remain unaware of the incredible outdoor opportunities that exist near their homes. The Conservation Federation of Missouri is determined to inform individuals and families about the natural resources of our state and how they benefit each and every Missourian.

The event begins at 11 a.m. at Powder Valley Nature Center with multiple interactive sessions on hunting, fishing, birding, outdoor photography and other outdoor opportunities in the St. Louis area. The seminars run concurrently, are open to the public and are completely free.

Following the seminars at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, the event moves to The Lodge at Des Peres for a celebration of conservation featuring dinner, live entertainment, auctions, raffles and panel discussion with Dr. Peter Raven, Andy Buchsbaum and Bob Ziehmer. Doors open for the banquet at 5:00 p.m. Registration

for the banquet is required and may be completed on the CFM website.

Please contact Rehan Nana, deputy director of CFM at [email protected] or (573) 634-2322 with any questions. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

CFM Hosting Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis on October 24


It was announced recently that Lake of the Ozarks was voted the “Best Recreational Lake in the United States” according to a USA Today readers poll.

Lake of the Ozarks, which covers 54,000 acres with 64 billion gallons of water and features over 1,150 miles of meandering shoreline, beat out many coveted lakes for the top spot.

The Lake of the Ozarks was among 20 lake destinations across the U.S. selected by a panel of travel experts and journalists from USA Today, 10Best.com and other media outlets. For a complete list of winners visit www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-recreational-lake/.

Lake of the Ozarks Named Best

Recreational Lake in the Country

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3 2 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Appreciating the Values of the Missouri RiveragEncy nEws - DEpartmEnt of natural rEsourcEs

It’s the longest river in the U.S. flowing approximately 2,350 miles. It begins at the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison and

Jefferson rivers in western Montana and ends in St. Louis at Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park where the river joins the Mississippi River. Affectionately referred to by many as the Mighty

Mo or the Big Muddy, the Missouri River is a vital re-source to the state of Missouri.

The Missouri River flows approximately 553 miles through the Show-Me State winding through several major metropolitan areas. Nearly half of all Missourians receive their drinking water from the river and its allu-vium. The river is also crucial to our state for the power generation, water supply, river commerce, fish and wild-life habitat and the recreation it provides.

Many floaters or anglers may not immediately think about navigating the Missouri River when planning their next weekend out on the water – but don’t dismiss the Mighty Mo too quickly. Last month, more than 600 pad-dlers competed in the 10th annual MR 340 canoe and kayak race on the Missouri River. The race has grown remarkably from its humble beginning with just 13 pad-dlers to now having become an internationally recognized endurance event and was listed by National Geographic Magazine as one of America’s top 100 adventures in 2014.

The Missouri River offers an opportunity to paddle through history following the recently dedicated Missouri River Water Trail. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and its Missouri State Parks, Department of Conservation and the Division of Tourism launched the website last year to showcase the beauty of paddling the Lower Missouri River. Paddlers will find information for planning everything from simple day trips to multi-day expeditions at missouririverwatertrail.org. Don’t forget to log your Missouri Blue Miles as part of Governor Nixon’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge. Gov. Nixon and the First Lady are encouraging Missourians to experience Mis-souri’s many waterways and log their paddling and swim-ming miles. Visit 100missourimiles.com to learn more.

A truly unique aspect of the Missouri River Water Trail is the synergy with the Katy Trail State Park, which is the longest rail to trail system in North America and follows the river for more than 200 miles. This extremely popular trail system has opened up a whole range of services, such as bed and breakfasts, restaurants, wineries, etc., all very

close to the river’s edge. With a little planning, you can cycle on Katy Trail State Park back to your car after a trip paddling down the river.

The water trail website not only features an interac-tive mapping tool for locating river access points, it also provides tips on what to expect when paddling the river. The water trail site is smartphone friendly and utilizes a familiar Google maps interface that allows users to determine driving directions to access points, locate ad-ditional services such as lodging, camping, grocery stores, restaurants, along with myriad other amenities close to the river.

Of course, you can’t talk about the Missouri River without mentioning the importance of river cleanups. There are several associations and groups dedicated to cleaning up the Missouri River. Missouri River Relief is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that began after Chad Pregracke’s Living Lands and Waters organization completed the first Missouri River cleanup in 2001. Pre-gracke was named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2013 for his river cleanup efforts. Both organizations are dedicated to connecting people to the river through hands-on river cleanups, education events and stewardship activities. There is still time to participate in a few Missouri River Relief cleanups this year, so visit riverrelief.org or living-landsandwaters.org to learn more.

I hope to see you on the Missouri!Sara Parker Pauley

Director, DNR

The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States and is a vital resource to the state of Missouri. Katy Trail State Park follows the river for more than 200 miles and provides bikers with not only impressive views of the river and bluffs, but also quaint communities along the way. Photo credit: DNR


Walk in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site located in Osage City. In May 1804, Captains Meriwether Lewis and

William Clark and the Corps of Discovery set out from the St. Louis area to explore the Louisiana Purchase terri-tory. Since their journey, many people have retraced their route, carefully studying and researching their journals and looking for landmarks and landscapes mentioned.

A hill near Osage City in Cole County has been identi-fied as one of those landmarks. Capt. Clark’s description of the hill helped historians pinpoint the actual hill itself. Between June 1 and 3, 1804, the expedition camped near the base of what is now known as Clark’s Hill. At that time, the Osage and Missouri rivers merged at this point. Clark ascended this hill to make observations about both rivers, describing them and the view in his journal.

From the description given by Clark, visitors will find evidence of how much the area and the rivers have changed in the last 200 years. Clark viewed the conflu-ence of the Osage and Missouri rivers from a rock on top of the hill. Today, from the same point, visitors can see the Missouri River to the left and the Osage River to the right. However, the rivers now merge together approxi-mately six miles downstream near Bonnots Mill, making the view markedly different from what Clark saw. The measurements taken of the Missouri River also show that it was much wider in 1804 than it is today, mainly due to channelization.

Descriptions given in the Lewis and Clark journals also indicate that landscapes on each side of the Missouri River were quite different from what we observe today. These early explorers noted rich bottomland forests, open woodlands and shrub barrens and caves near Clark’s Hill. As they journeyed farther upstream, prairie became

more common. Clark’s Hill, however, is still similar to what Clark saw in 1804. It consists mainly of limestone/dolomite woodlands, forest and cliff communities. In the 1980s, the amethyst shooting star, an imperiled plant and a relict species from a previous cooler climatic period, was discovered at the location.

Just as William Clark did on June 2, 1804, visitors can journey through this wooded area to the top of Clark’s Hill and enjoy the view. Today, a trail and an overlook make it easier to reach the point where Clark once stood. The rock where Clark stood and the location of the crew’s campsite below along the banks of the Missouri River can be seen from the overlook.

William and Carol Norton of Jefferson City donated the land that encompasses the historic site to the Mis-souri Department of Natural Resources in 2002. The site opened in 2004 in time for the bicentennial of this epic journey, allowing visitors an opportunity to have an experience similar to that of Capt. Clark’s when he visited this location. To learn more about this historic site, visit mostateparks.com.

Sara Parker PauleyDirector, DNR

agEncy nEws - DEpartmEnt of natural rEsourcEs

Spotlight on Missouri State Parks – Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site

The overlook at Clark’s Hill/Norton State Historic Site provides a spectacular view of the Missouri River during the fall season. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as they journey through the wooded area to the top of Clark’s Hill to enjoy the view. Photo credit: DNR

“I measured the Osage & Missouris at this place made ther width as follows, the Missourie 875 yd. Wide The Osage R 397 yds. Wide, the distance be-tween the 2 rivers 80 poles [16.5 feet] up is 40 ps... I assended the hill in the point 80 ps from the pt.

Found it about 100 foot high, on the top is 2 graves, or mouns, a Delightfull prospect from this hill which

Comds. [commands] Both rivers”

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In 1966, as a “right-of-passage,” I was finally allowed to accompany my father, Uncle Otis, and family friend Paul Callison on a goose hunt at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge. At 10 years of age, and after proving that I could actually hit flushing quail, darting doves, and ducks jumped from a farm pond, my dad gave in and let me go. For years, I had waited anxiously for the men to return home from goose hunts at Swan Lake, and to see and help pluck the geese. I had dreamed of the day when I could go along with them. The 1960s began the “hay-day” period of Canada goose numbers at Swan Lake, with peaks of greater than 100,000 geese. And, the public hunting at Swan Lake was a remarkable opportu-nity for farm folk such as us. While our blind draw that day was not the best (H-1), and our bag was small (one goose), that day remains as fresh in my mind as if it was yesterday.

While the geese at Swan Lake were awe inspiring, my true love was ducks – and I badly wanted to go on a real duck hunt up at Fountain Grove. But Dad, Otis, and Paul would only shake their heads and lament that the “good old days” for ducks were past. Otis, in particular, had grown up and hunted ducks in the “old duck pond” bottoms of the North Fork of the Salt River near Lentner, Missouri – and he had retained a farm flock of “callers” until the late 1950s. His stories of ducks that blackened the skies along the Salt River bottoms, the antics and lure of his live decoys, and the boom of the Model 11 Reming-ton repeater in the timber captured my imagination. But by the mid-1960s, those days surely were over.

Finally relenting, my Dad, Otis, and Paul took me to Fountain Grove in 1968. Another day I will never forget - blind G-12 and mallards in the trees. But 1968 was a poor year at the Grove and for Missouri as a whole, when only a 30-day season and a daily limit of 3 ducks (2 mal-lards) were allowed. Despite the short season, the Grove hosted 3,285 hunters in 1968, who killed 1,636 ducks for a 0.50 birds/hunter average. Even with a good (spec-tacular in my mind at the time) hunt that day in G-12, when we killed 6 mallards, I remember Otis sadly saying that I would never see the duck numbers, or experience the magic of hundreds of mallards landing in the decoys, like he had. Maybe we should just hunt geese and forget about the ducks.

But, in a remarkable recovery, the ducks came back. As Chris Madson wrote in the forward of the recently pub-lished book “Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conserva-tion in Missouri – a model of collaboration”:

“The recovery of the continent’s ducks and geese is,

perhaps, the greatest conservation success in history. It was a miracle, really, a miracle worked by generations of wildlife professionals and hunters who simply refused to let the birds go.

Many of the leaders of the effort were Missourians. They expanded our understanding of waterfowl, they pioneered ways to improve food and cover, they devised new approaches to manage hunting, and, along the way, they invented new ways to fund conservation.”

The statistics from the 1960s are from the “Water-fowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri” book. The amazing collection of harvest and population statistics in the book are alone worth its purchase price, for those of us that have lived and breathed waterfowl hunting in Missouri – and relish in the memories that the statistics tell. As a biologist and hunter, and coau-thor of the book, I like numbers and science. I also am a born and raised Missourian - so, you have to “show me” proof. The book does this in spades, and boldly presents the history of waterfowl and wetlands in Missouri – and showcases the “Missouri Model” of:

- Commitment to science-based management- Acquisition, development, and management of a sys-

tem of state-owned wetland conservation areas- Strong partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service

The Good Old Days of Waterfowl Hunting in Missouri – NOW!

Fig 1: Breeding population estimates of total ducks from traditionally surveyed areas in Canada and the U.S. (From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2015” - report available at http://flyways.us/)


- Recognition that private landowners provide impor-tant waterfowl habitat, and that these lands determine the fate of waterfowl in Missouri

- A foundation of collaboration among government and non-government organizations such as Ducks Un-limited and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) that is essential for ultimate success

The success of the “Missouri Model” of waterfowl and wetland conservation is undeniable. Waterfowl are an international resource, and ultimately their conservation requires cooperative management among states and coun-tries. Many factors determine waterfowl numbers and the number of birds over our decoys in any given year. But the numbers – the proof of our success – are clear. Con-sider the following:

- At a continental level, the number of breeding ducks surveyed in North America is near 50 million in 2015, the highest levels since surveys began in 1955 (Fig. 1).

- Annual duck-use-days on Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wetland areas have regularly exceeded 40 million since 2000 (Fig. 2).

- Total duck harvest in Missouri now approaches 700,000 (Fig. 3) and harvest and hunting trips on MDC areas has increased dramatically since the mid-1990s (Fig. 4).

- Mallard harvest in Missouri in 2015 was over 255,000; second only to Arkansas among U.S states. In fact, the number of mallards harvested in Missouri in 2015 was almost as high as the entire Atlantic Fly-way. (Source – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service harvest data available at http://flyways.us/)

- Peak duck and goose numbers in Missouri during fall and winter regularly exceed 1 million birds. (Source – MDC population survey data from 1970 to 2014-15).

And, in a comparison of the Fountain Grove hunting history from 1968, in 2014-15, over 3,000 hunters at Fountain Grove harvested nearly 5,000 ducks with about a 2.0 birds/day average.

In another example of conservation support – and num-bers – the Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri book has sold over 2,100 copies since its release in fall 2014 and raised over $130,000 for wetland and waterfowl conservation to date. All of the authors of the book donated their time for the project and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation administers book sales and proceeds. This book and its sales are just another reflection of the Missouri Model of conservation and the contribution of CFM. If you have not bought a book yet, do so. You will find memories, pride, passion, and tears. And, you will help write another chapter of Missouri conservation and help the next generation of waterfowlers in Missouri know that indeed:

The Good Old Days of Waterfowl and Wetlands in Missouri are now!

Mickey E. Heitmeyer

Mickey Heitmeyer is a member of the CFM Board of Directors, past chair of the CFM Waterfowl and Wet-lands Committee, and coauthor of the Missouri waterfowl and wetlands book.

Duck-use-days on Missouri wetland areas prior to and following restoration.

Waterfowl hunting trips and duck harvest on managed wetland areas in Mis-souri, 1966-2013.

Total duck harvest statewide and on MDC wetland areas, 1968-2013.

3 6 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

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As the fi rst Cabela’s in Missouri, we pulled out all the stops

to bring a serious outdoor experience to the Show-Me-State.

The Hazelwood Cabela’s store was built to not only surround

customers with quality outdoor products, but to engage them

with lifelike taxidermy, local fi sh swimming in the aquarium

and an indoor archery test area.

Located just off I-270, north of I-70 (Exit 22B, Hwy. 370),

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you get the most out of your next adventure.

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4 0 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Did you know that temperate grasslands—including Missouri’s tallgrass prairies—are the least conserved, most threatened major terrestrial habitat type on earth? Prairie protection efforts in Missouri, therefore, are not only essential to preserving our state’s natural heritage, they are also significant to national and even global conservation work.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) was founded in 1966 by a small group of conservation professionals and volunteers who were concerned about the rapid decline of greater prairie-chickens and the degradation and loss of prairie habitat throughout the state. Since that time, MPF has grown and developed with several goals in mind, including the permanent protection of prairie habitat and the need for greater understanding of the role of native grasslands in wildlife and pollinator conservation, energy security, and carbon storage.

What began as an all-volunteer advocacy group has grown into an organization that owns more than 3,000 acres of prairie, and in partnership with public agencies and other private entities, helps protect thousands more. MPF has more than 1,900 members and advocates for strong grassland-wildlife-friendly measures in the Farm

Bill and other national, regional, and state agricultural and energy policies. MPF’s work would not be possible without the many hours of service from dedicated board members, generous members and other supporters, loyal volunteers and committed two staff members.

MPF became the home of the Grow Native! program in July 2012, and through this education and marketing program, promotes the use of native plants in the built environment and altered landscapes. In 2015, the Grow Native! program launched the Missouri Invasive Exotic Plant Species Task Force, with the goal of elevating awareness and action to control invasive plant species.

MPF is in year two of its 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, having raised more than $3 million of its $4 million goal by the end of 2016. MPF’s annual meeting and Evening on the Prairie will be October 10, and its annual dinner will be on November 6. To learn more about these events and MPF’s conservation work, visit www.moprairie.org.

Affiliate Spotlight — Missouri Prairie Foundation

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Proud supporters of the Share the Harvest program.


Member’s Memories

Submitted by David Urich: Conservation Pioneers working hard at the clay bird shoot. Pictured Left to Right: Gene Gardner, David Urich, Gene Kelly, Glenn Chambers.

Submitted by Daniel Elliot: Daniel relaxes at Fugitive Beach in Rolla. The ‘beach’ is an abandoned rock quarry recently opened up to the public for swimming.

Right: Submitted by Maddie Deubner: Maddie soaks up the view while exploring Castlewood State Park in Ballwin.

Bottom Left: Submitted by Joni Viles: “It wasn’t un-til I understood hunting and the whole picture that I developed any sort of true compassion or concern for my food, my world and all its natural things,” said Joni when asked about why she hunts.

Bottom Right: Submitted by Jeremiah Doughty: Jeremiah, of fromfieldtoplate.com, shares wildgame recipes to make your mouth water. See our blog for this Orange Chicken Style Pheasant recipe.

Lower: Collin O’Mara, Presi-dent/CEO of National Wild-life Federation, fly fishes the Sun Valley of Idaho on a recent trip.

Share your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and they could be published in the next issue! Be sure to include

names, dates and any other information.

Conservation Federation of Missouri @confedmo@confedmo

4 2 C F M — S E p t E M b E R 2 0 1 5

Life After CLC - Where Are You Now?

Missouri’s great out-doors are not owned by

those who use its resources today, but instead, bor-rowed from those who will one day inherit these resources. For many, this understanding is only real-ized later in life when we pass on our individual out-door passions to our own children. However, there are a lucky few who from a young age understand the significant impact the next generation can have and spend their lives edu-cating these future conser-vationists on the wise-use of Missouri’s outdoors.

At 22 years old, Kelsey Rumley is one of these lucky few. Having recently graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in wildlife biology, she is turning her passion of working with young adults into a career educat-ing them about the impor-tance of the outdoors.

Youth education wasn’t always at the top of her ca-reer choice list. Originally from Tennessee, she grew up in a log cabin in the middle of the woods. In this undeveloped area, she learned to appreciate the outdoors. Later, after her family moved to Ozark, Missouri, she thought she wanted to work with big cats, but quickly realized she “can make a bigger im-pact for the outdoors when

I impact people.” Educat-ing a younger generation would have a multiplying effect for conservation, as opposed to working on one specific species.

This awareness was strengthened through the three years she attended the Conservation Youth Leadership Corps (CLC). Every year Rumley was involved in the education committee and worked with other students to further outdoor opportu-nities in school settings. During her second year in CLC, Rumley created and passed a resolution requir-

ing teachers to be certified in outdoor education. She also stepped into a leader-ship position as the CLC President during her last year; helping other CLC

students organize and pass their own resolutions.

“CLC is a really good way to get involved and be proactive in conservation,” said Rumley, “It’s a good networking opportunity and young adults can find a number of on the ground conservation projects to participate in.”

CLC program goals in-clude not only developing students’ passions for the

outdoors, but also show-ing them the importance of conservation advocacy. “I had never seen the politi-cal side of conservation, so looking through the reso-lutions was a little confus-ing at first, but then it was interesting to see a differ-ent way that conservation was being accomplished. It was cool to be able to im-pact the outdoors that way as well,” said Rumley.

She was nominated and won the 2013 CFM Youth Conservationist of the Year after she conceptual-ized and implemented four outdoor classrooms for Ozark Upper Elementary. These classrooms consist of trail systems, Leopold benches and a native wild-flower garden, so teach-ers can use them to show students the importance of the outdoors.

Rumley already started on her education career path, working as the Resident Coordinator at G.L.A.D.E. (Green Leader-ship Academy for Diverse Ecosystems). When asked where she sees herself in five years, she said, “I’m passionate about reaching out to youth, whether it be as a teacher, naturalist or something else. I just want to be able to reach these young students and teach them. That’s where I’m heading.”

Rehan NanaDeputy Director, CFM

Kelsey Rumley:


Explore the Outdoors: ST. LOUIS

Save the date for our St. Louis Regional Event.

Table sponsorships are $1,000 & include 8 tickets and an Iron Business Alliance.The cost is $100 per person & includes a one-year membership to CFM.

Date:

11 - 4 p.m: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Panel discussion on conservation topics

Banquet dinnerSilent and live auctions

October 24, 2015

Dr. Peter Raven, President Emeritus of Missouri Botanical Gardens

For more information, visit www.confedmo.org/st-louis

Free outdoor activities for the whole family

5 - 10 p.m:

World Conservation TopicsAndy Buchsbaum, VP of Conservation Action for National Wildlife Federation

National Conservation TopicsBob Ziehmer, Director of Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri Conservation Topics

The Lodge at Des Peres

Visit our website: www.confedmo.org

If there are any errors in your name and address, if you’ve moved from this address, or if you plan to move, please notify us at Missouri Wildlife, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (800) 575-2322.

Documents

Vol76 no5 2015